Yellowknife (Mar 03/06) - Twelve Yellowknifers are hoping to become Caribou Carnival royalty.

This is the first year in the history of the carnival that the entire raffle hierarchy - king, queen, prince and princess - has been represented, said carnival organizer John Dalton.

It is also the first time men have participated as kings, he said.

"We've been working hard to give the carnival a more positive image. I think we've had so much interest is in part because of the incentive program and support from businesses."

The incentive program awards gift certificates from local businesses for those selling raffle tickets.

The grand prize for the king or queen and the prince or princess who sells the most tickets for the carnival is a trip for two to Vancouver with accommodations.

Representing the kings are Derek Tremblay, Stuart York and Carl Bird.

"I was interested in participating in the contest because this is the first time kings have entered. If I do win, it will be a change for Yellowknife," said Tremblay. He doesn't have a plan so to speak, but is willing to sell his tickets to whoever, whenever.

The queen contestants this year are Gail Cyr, Jennifer Greenley, Susan Vogt, Gisele Forget and Samantha Nitsiza.

Participating as a prince is 11-year-old Kyle Bauhaus. The princesses are Trista Beck, 10, Kylie Tsetta, 11, and Dezerae Pidborochynski, 19.

Sixty-thousand tickets are slated to be sold. Contestants have until just before the carnival to sell as many tickets as they can.